Ukraine, economy top agenda in Estonia election
Voters in Estonia cast ballots Sunday in a parliamentary election that the center-right Reform Party of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. one of Europe’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine, was considered a favorite to win.
Kallas faces a challenge from the far-right populist EKRE party, which seeks to limit the Baltic nation’s exposure to the Ukraine crisis and blames the current government for Estonia’s high inflation rate.
Nine political parties in all fielded candidates for Estonia’s 101-seat parliament, or Riigikogu. Over 900,000 people were eligible to vote in the general election, and nearly half voted in advance. Preliminary election results are expected by early Monday.
National security in the wake of neighboring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and socio-economic issues, particularly the rising cost of living, were main campaign themes.
Kallas, 45, became prime minister in 2021 and has emerged as one of Europe’s most outspoken supporters of Ukraine during the yearlong war. She is seeking a second term, with her standing enhanced by her international appeals to impose sanctions on Moscow.
A Baltic nation of 1.3 million people that borders Russia, Estonia broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has taken a clear Western course, joining NATO and the European Union.
Five parties were represented in the outgoing parliament. Kallas’ party has led the current coalition government with the small conservative Fatherland party and the Social Democrats.
Her center-right Reform Party, a key player in Estonian politics since the mid1990s, continuously held the prime minister’s post during 2005-2016 and regained it in 2021. For some voters, the party’s long time in power represents stability, while others are looking for a change.
“Right now, I think everything is good as it is ... the people who are taking decisions,” voter Katlin Kivisaar said. “So I hope it will stay as it is.”
Another voter, Oskar Vanem, said he thought it was time to switch things up. “Everything depends on if a new party is elected to the government. Many are waiting for it. One fraction (Reform Party) can’t govern eternally like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin does in Moscow. We need changes,” he said.